before we depart

USAGE SUMMARY

"before we depart" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to express a specific time or action that will occur before leaving or starting something. Example: "We need to finish packing our bags before we depart for the airport at 9 AM tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Before we depart, Will visits the corner deli and buys some Egg McMuffin-style sandwiches.

The New York Times - Travel

Then they have another short rest followed by the final meeting at 1pm to go through the last plans before we depart for the ground.

Independent

Before we depart, Galloway reminds us that Kirriemuir also hosts a long-running folk festival, and is home to Joe Aitken, singer of bothy ballads (farm labourer songs).

The Guardian - Travel

Contact loved ones to say how much they mean to us before we depart for a vague location that we have never seen and have no direct evidence exists.

The New Yorker

Before we depart, we fortify ourselves in the hotel's breakfast room, which provides a robust sampling of fruit and yogurt, cheeses, meats and bread and juice and coffee.

Los Angeles Times

Before we depart this most-adorable of meet-cutes, the show's two most prevailing beardos bond over their mutual attraction to Brienne of Tarth.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"They used to tell us that the FSA will turn to sahwa and fight us, which I thought was an exaggeration," said the emir of gas before we departed.

The Guardian

Before we departed Shiraz, I met a young college student during an evening stroll.

Huffington Post

The strange but noble truth is that I probably knew you for less than two hours before we departed on a 5-day trek through the jungle together.

Huffington Post

Before we departed, the man with glasses and greying hair (which he had dressed in an elegant and exclusive looking light brown straw hat) explained his occupation and where he was headed: he was a teacher or professor, the original camera wizard (although these are only my own words), and he was about to head out somewhere in Africa a week before his class of students were scheduled to arrive.

Huffington Post

Again, Nainoa, challenged us, but this time it was in Apia, Samoa, at a crew meeting the evening before we were to depart to Tokelau.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before we depart" to clearly indicate actions that must be completed prior to leaving a location or starting a journey. This helps in setting expectations and ensuring preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "before we depart" in very casual or informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "before we go" or "before we leave" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we depart" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main clause by indicating the time or condition under which the main action occurs. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before we depart" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate an action preceding a departure. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples show it's most common in News & Media contexts. While correct, it can sound somewhat formal, so consider your audience and context. Alternatives like "before we leave" or "before we go" may be more suitable for casual settings. Remember to use "before we depart" when specifying important actions that must occur prior to leaving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to our departure

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

ahead of our leaving

Emphasizes the act of leaving, rather than the moment of departure.

before our exit

Suggests a more abrupt or formal leaving.

in anticipation of leaving

Highlights the expectation and preparation for leaving.

as we prepare to leave

Focuses on the preparatory actions leading up to departure.

leading up to our departure

Highlights the events and time period immediately before leaving.

just before we go

Uses more informal language.

on the verge of leaving

Emphasizes the immediacy of the departure.

prior to setting off

Replaces "depart" with a phrasal verb, indicating the start of a journey.

as departure nears

Shifts the focus to the approach of the departure time.

FAQs

How can I use "before we depart" in a sentence?

You can use "before we depart" to indicate an action that should be completed before leaving a location. For example, "Before we depart, let's ensure all the equipment is packed".

What's a less formal alternative to "before we depart"?

Alternatives include "before we leave", "before we go", or "before leaving", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "before we depart" suitable for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "before we depart" is generally more suited for formal or professional settings. Simpler alternatives are usually preferred in casual conversations.

Which is more appropriate, "before we depart" or "before our departure"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Before we depart" is a clause, while "before our departure" is a prepositional phrase. For example, "Before we depart, let's review the itinerary" versus "Before our departure, we need to confirm the reservations".